Ann Coulter And Free Speech

Thanks to Tongue Tied, I ran across this letter to the Daily Orange from a couple of Syracuse University students who obviously fail to comprehend what free speech is all about. The letter follows.

Sadly, we must bring to your attention yet another example of offensive and insensitive programming sponsored by our university. On March 8, Ann Coulter will be speaking at the invitation of the College Republicans. If you are not familiar with her work, a quick
Google search will let you know what's up. Ann Coulter's openly racist, sexist and hateful remarks violate Syracuse University's non-discrimination policy. Have we learned nothing from HillTV about respect for our fellow human beings? Evidently not.

This is not an issue of free speech and hearing "both sides" of an issue. Her remarks directly infringe upon students' rights to feel safe and included in the campus community. At this point, we find it unlikely that this kind of oppressive "entertainment" is due to white privileged ignorance and probably has more to do with overt, unashamed racism. We in the Student Environmental Action Coalition must wonder how Ann Coulter's paycheck compares to the annual funding for student organizations fighting for the right of respect and dignity for all people. We urge all of you to express your concerns.

Jessie Kerr-Vanderslice
Senior English and textual studies and studio art major

Bobby Powers
Junior environmental studies major

Editor's note: Jessie Kerr-Vanderslice and Bobby Powers are members of SEAC. Powers is the co-chair.

"White privileged ignorance" and "Student Environmental Action Coalition" tell you all you need to know. Quite frankly, I feel the tone and intent of this letter is unashamedly racist and meant to be overtly oppressive. It is a blatant attempt to deny the rights of people to hear another viewpoint. Perhaps these students should familiarize themselves with the Syracuse University values which state, " Diversity is a commitment to being a place where no person's thoughts are deemed inappropriate for expression, where speakers from Louis Farrakhan to Ed Koch are invited to our campus and if not welcomed by all, not silenced by anyone."

In fact, Louis Farrakhan has spoken at Syracuse University and if ever there was one given to open, hateful, racist remarks it would be Louis.

At this point, I find it unlikely that this kind of oppressive letter writing is to to liberal induced mental disorder and probably has more to do with undermining free speech and pushing the socialist agenda.